Villa Grande at Gervasi Vineyard Wedding with Julie and Matt

Last fall I met up with these two and I had such a great time with them for their engagement session.  Julie came to the session with a lot of props so I had a feeling there would be a few details at their wedding but I had NO idea just how many there would be.  Just wait.  It’s so amazing!  It was a photographer’s dream!!!

The day of their wedding it was calling for rain all day.  Luckily the rain timed itself quite well and it only rained for a bit when they were to do their first look (easy to reschedule) and when they were going to do their fake exit at the end of the night before we left (we moved it inside).  The downside was the ongoing threat of rain meant that it was a crazy humid day – by far one of the most sticky weddings I’ve had in years.  These two though rolled with the punches and were just so darn happy to be married that they didn’t let anything small like humidity get them down.

All day I had a perma-grin on my face.  These two made my job easy, they were just a joy to work with.  They were so in love and it was obvious to anyone who looked at them.  Even if they weren’t getting married at one of the most beautiful venues in Stark County or if Julie and her hired team of amazing people hadn’t beautified the heck out of the wedding, this would have been a gorgeous wedding based on emotions alone.  It was wonderful to behold.

Thank you so much for trusting me to capture this important day for you both!  Also special shout out to the amazing Lindsey Beckwith for being my fabulous second photographer!

Ceremony & Reception: Villa Grande at Gervasi Vineyard / Bridal Gown: Casablanca Bridal via Abbotts Bridal / Bridesmaid Gowns: Adrianna Papell / Cake & Confections:  Karla’s Sweetopia / DJ: Bella Sano Entertainment Florist: Nikki’s Perfect Petal Designs Makeup:  Purrfect Face / Menswear: Men’s Warehouse / Setup: Reinspired Bride / Strings: Arion String Emsembles / Videography: Just Hitched

I started out my day by playing with Julie’s GORGEOUS dress that is one made of dreams!

Wedding Dress Hanging at Villa in Gervasi

The other gowns also got a bit of a showing as well on the fireplace within their villa.

Dresses for wedding on fireplace in Canton

I loved all of the monogrammed robes the ladies had!  SO cute!

Bride and Bridesmaids in floral robes

Julie wanted an image of her with her bouquet before she got dressed.  It was also nice to have a quiet moment before the craziness set in.

Bride with Bouquet in Black and White

It was a tight squeeze in their room but this picture makes me smile, her Mom was so excited for her to be married!

Bride posing for picture when getting ready at Gervasi

I love the trend of doing a first look with the Bride’s father and I hope they always go as beautifully as this one did!

Father Daughter First Look before Wedding in Canton Ohio

How adorable right??  HIGHLY recommend!

Bride hugging her father after first look

While Julie was seeing her Dad the guys were getting ready in their own suite inside the Villa Grande with Lindsey.

Groomsman helping with tie on Groom in Canton

This image always makes me smile!

Groom getting ring bearer ready for wedding

The rain moved in and we had to move the first look back a bit but it all worked out.  I’m so glad we were able to still do it outside.  This vineyard is SO beautiful!

Groom waiting in vineyard for first look

While I was in front of Matt, Lindsey was capturing the view from behind Julie.

Bride in vineyard for first look in Ohio

Seriously, how adorable are they?  I love their smiles after their first look!

First Look at Gervasi Vineyard before Wedding

The skies were looming but they didn’t have a care in the world.

Wedding portrait in vineyard in Canton Ohio

Have I mentioned how much I love Gervasi Vineyard?  Because I do.

Bride and Groom walking in grape arbor in Ohio

Here begins the fabulous details… this couch that Julie refinished for her wedding to have a selfie station.  SHE REFINISHED THIS!  It doesn’t end here there is more to be seen.

She also made the floral frame above the couch on the fabulous sequin backdrop above the couch.

Bride and Groom posing on couch

Julie was a FIERCE and FABULOUS bride.

Bride on a couch at Gervasi Vineyard in Canton Ohio

Julie’s florist, Nikki’s Perfect Petal Designs, seriously hit it out of the park.  I still can’t get over the beautiful florals.

I especially loved Julie’s bouquet which was made up up peonies and roses.  It was the perfect touch for the wedding!

Pink Peony and Rose Wedding Bridal Bouquet

This couch needed these ladies and their amazing gowns on the couch!

Bride and Bridesmaids on couch in Ohio

I can’t get over how cute Julie and her niece were together.

Bride and flower girl on couch

I had to have one more portrait of Julie on this couch!

Bride on a white couch with gold details

I loved the classing look of the guys with their black tuxes and bow ties.
Black and white portrait of groomsman

I always return to this spot when I’m at Gervasi and with good reason, it’s beautiful.

Bride and Groom walking on bridge at Gervasi Vineyard

A few more portraits before the ceremony began with the bridal party.

Groom and Groomsman in black tuxes with bowties

I really loved the bridesmaids dresses!  They were a light pink and just so beautiful on!

Bride and Bridesmaids in Blush

Matt looked pretty spiffy himself!

Groom at Gervasi Vineyard

I really loved the beautiful scrolling design in the petals on the aisle.

Pink Petals on aisle in scroll pattern

Julie made a ton of chalkboard signs for the wedding, this one telling the guests to pick a seat and not a side was just one of them.

Chalkboard Sign at Wedding Ceremony

She also had a water table set up near the outdoor ceremony area so that her guests would stay refreshed during the service.  The water was served in mason jars with gold glitter ribbon W tags attached with pink and white straws.

Water Station at Outdoor Ceremony

I loved these gold glitter fans that Julie made as well.  They were set up near the bubbles for the guests blow after they said I do.

Gold Glitter Program Fans for Outdoor Ceremony

As soon as Matt saw Julie coming down the aisle he mouthed “I love you” and it was one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever witnessed during a wedding.

Groom seeing bride walking down the aisle

Bride walking down the aisle at outdoor ceremony

Matt gave Julie’s Dad the biggest hug once they made it to the end of the aisle.

Groom hugging father in law

Julie had the BIGGEST grin on for the whole ceremony.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony in Canton Ohio

The kiss!!!

First Kiss at Wedding Ceremony in Canton Ohio

I loved their cheer at the end!!

Bride and groom raising their arms after wedding ceremony

This bouquet? SO beautiful!  It also smelled amazing!

White pink and peach wedding bouquet with roses and peonies

I really loved the bridesmaids bouquets as well, the trailing ribbons were the perfect touch!

Pink and White Bridesmaids Bouquet with long ribbons

I captured this image as Julie walked to the spot I wanted them to go to near the pond at Gervasi and it ended up being one of my favorites from the day.

Bride walking under weeping willow tree at Gervasi

The same spot on the other end of the pond.

Gervasi Vineyard Wedding in Canton, Ohio

They are so perfect for one another!

Bride and groom kissing after wedding ceremonyThese two <3
Bride and Groom after wedding at Gervasi Vineyard

They had their cocktail hour on the patio area where their ceremony was and also in the greenhouse and I loved the setup inside!

Note yet another one of Julie’s amazing chalkboards!

Cocktail Hour inside Greenhouse at Gervasi Vineyard

The couch is all set up for the selfie spot during the rest of the evening.  Eventually it would be moved under the covered porch when the rain started.

Selfie Station at Wedding

I loved the setup for the escort cards within the gold frame (yes another one of Julie’s!).

Reception Sign and Escort Tags on Frame

Major props to Reinspired Bride for setting everything up and making it look amazing.

Tags for Escort Cards on Clothesline

I loved the head table and the backdrop!

Head Table in Pink and Gold at Gervasi Vineyard

Seriously, how amazing is all of this??  The chalkboard table numbers, the flowers, the gold glitter runners?  SO perfect.

Pink and Gold Wedding Reception Table Decor

The gold chargers were the perfect touch!

Also of note, they donated all of the arrangements to the local hospice hospital and when they told me this I may have teared up a bit.  What a beautiful idea!

Pink and Gold Wedding Reception decor at Villa Grande Ballroom in Gervasi

The white cake was perfect with the pink flowers and gold polka dots.

White Pink and Gold Wedding Cake

Yes, yet another amazing piece that Julie restored for the wedding – a DRESSER!  The drawers were full of cookies and cake pops and there was all kinds of goodies on display on it.

White and Gold Dresser setup with cookies

How adorable is this ferris wheel cupcake holder?!!?

Wedding Cupcakes Displayed on a Gold Ferris Wheel

One of the junior bridesmaids MAY have caught me with one of these… and I have no regrets.  It was delicious!

White and Gold Cake Pops at Wedding Reception

Thew new Mr and Mrs!!

Bride and groom enter into wedding reception in northeast ohio

They went right into their first dance and it was, of course, perfect.

Wedding First Dance at Gervasi Vineyard

Their toasts also were lovely.

Wedding Toast at Reception in Villa Grande Ballroom

The best part though was the kids also toasting their aunt… starting with the flower girl.

Flower Girl giving toast at wedding reception

And ending with this adorable ring bearer who stole the mic from his Dad.

Toddler Ring Bearer giving toast

I’m still giggling over this hilarious cake cutting.

Cake Cutting at Wedding Reception

After dinner Julie and Matt danced with their parents.

Father Daughter Dance During Wedding Reception in OhioMother Son Wedding Dance

Once the dance floor opened everyone was kicking up their heels and having a blast.

Wedding Dance Floor in Canton Ohio

While Lindsey was inside capturing the above, I was outside playing with the rings!

Wedding Rings on Sequin Tablecloth

The rain was POURING down (it started right as soon as the reception was underway) so their planned outdoor exit with the glow sticks/necklaces was moved inside and this picture makes me giggle every time.

Glow Stick Wedding Exit

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  • Donna WilsonJuly 1, 2016 - 3:57 PM

    I’ve always been told that “Rain is good luck on your wedding day.” No one noticed a “little rain” on this beautiful day. The photos are amazing. Thank you Corey Ann Photography.ReplyCancel